Temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) are unpredictable environments that change in response to mouth condition, which is influenced by freshwater flooding or sea storm surges. The aim of the study was to determine whether macrophyte phenology in a TOCE was event driven rather than cyclically predictable and if it differed from permanently open estuaries (POEs). Macrophyte growth and flowering phenology in response to environmental conditions was investigated in the East Kleinemonde Estuary (TOCE) and the Kowie Estuary (POE) along the eastern coastline of South Africa. The lack of freshwater flooding due to low rainfall coupled with several overwash events resulted in a prolonged period of mouth closure from September 2008 to the end of this study period in 2010. This in turn caused the inundation of the supratidal and intertidal habitats, high water level (> 1.57 m amsl) and high salinity (30 - 42 ppt) in the TOCE. Principle Components Analysis showed that high water level and reduced sediments were the most significant environmental factors affecting macrophyte phenology. Macrophyte phenology in the POE was primarily driven by temperature, sediment redox potential and salinity. The saline high water level and reduced sediment significantly reduced macrophyte cover in all habitats in the TOCE. Macrophytes in the POE maintained high cover abundance due to seasonal re-growth compared to the TOCE where cover declined over the sampling period due to the high water level. Subsequent to water level dropping by as little as 11 - 20 cm in the TOCE, the intertidal species Sarcocornia tegetaria and Salicornia meyeriana completed their life-cycles and produced viable seeds within four and three months of germinating respectively. In contrast, the Sarcocornia hybrid and S. meyeriana in the POE took longer to complete their life-cycles, namely seven and nine months respectively, while S. tegataria did not germinate in situ but reproduced vegetatively despite producing seed. In the TOCE, the submerged species Ruppia cirrhosa and Chara vulgaris completed their life-cycles within five and three months and produced a maximum of 26 242 and 196 998 seeds m-2 respectively. Due to high water level and prolonged inundation, the reproductive periods were shorter for the intertidal and reed and sedge species in the TOCE compared to the POE. Seed output during the two reproduction periods varied between the two estuaries. Sarcocornia decumbens and S. tegetaria produced a substantially higher number of seeds in the TOCE compared to the POE, namely 0 - 102 847 versus 20 661 - 48 576 seeds m-²; and 7 001 - 45 542 versus 1 587 – 16 958 seeds m-² respectively. Seed output in the TOCE was significantly higher in S. tegetaria during the second reproduction period despite the significantly lower plant cover, which may be a function of the stressful environment in the TOCE. Seed production of S. meyeriana was significantly higher in the POE compared to the TOCE, with 264 224 - 640 292 compared with 24 050 - 27 643 seeds m-², due to higher plant cover in the POE. The research suggests that macrophyte phenology in the TOCE was significantly influenced by mouth condition. Further, macrophytes were able to demonstrate considerable phenotypic plasticity in response to changing and unfavourable environmental conditions. These data can be used in mouth management plans and freshwater requirement studies in TOCEs to ensure that macrophytes can complete their life-cycles and produce viable seeds for the safeguarding of habitat persistence and ecological processes. In impacted estuaries where artificial mouth opening is practised and the macrophytes have been severely degraded or extirpated, management should ensure that the intertidal and supratidal habitats are not inundated during peak flowering and seed production periods i.e. late spring to early autumn (November to March).

The Great Brak temporarily open/closed estuary was subjected to a drought during the spring and summer of 2009/2010 resulting in the mouth remaining closed for a prolonged period. According to the Great Brak Estuary management programme, the mouth of the estuary had to be open for a total of 308 days during spring and summer of 2009/2010, respectively, but was closed for almost the entire two years (693 days). The aim of this study was to assess monthly changes in the abiotic characteristics (salinity, temperature, oxygen, pH and nutrients) and the biotic responses of phytoplankton and macroalgae; identify sources of nutrient input into the estuary and determine the response of the salt marsh to water level and salinity changes. The results indicated that physico-chemical parameters were similar to that previously recorded during the closed mouth condition. However mouth closure combined with elevated nutrient concentrations led to a shift from rooted submerged macrophytes to one where either microalgae or macroalgae were dominant. Soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations were significantly higher in bottom compared with surface waters. There was a significant negative correlation with SRP and dissolved oxygen for the sampling period indicating potential release of phosphorus from the sediment during closed mouth conditions. Microalgal biomass increased in response to remineralised nutrients and freshwater pulses. Flagellates were the dominant microalgal group (21718 ± 3336 cells m l-1, p < 0.05) because of their morphological ability to migrate vertically within the water column. The macroalgal cover was highest during the closed mouth state but only during winter (August 2010) when temperatures were below 20 oC. Five major point sources of nutrient input into the Great Brak Estuary were identified during rainfall periods. Point sources 4 and 5 in the upper reaches of the estuary had the highest DIN input whereas point source 3 in the middle reaches of the estuary had the highest DIP input. As a result of the drought and low water level, the salt marsh was never inundated for longer than 3 months. Die-back of Sarcocornia decumbens (r 2= -0.62, p < 0.05) was related to smothering by dead macroalgae whereas dieback of Sporobolus virginicus was related to decreasing nutrient (r2 = 0.59, p < 0.05) and salinity (r2 = 0.55, p < 0.05) levels. The physico-chemical characteristics alone did not convey the true health status of the Great Brak Estuary for the duration of the sampling (April 2010-April 2011). The study showed that microalgae and macroalgae are valuable indicators of the status of the estuary. Therefore it is suggested that bio-indicators are incorporated into the management/monitoring plan in order to assist in improving the health assessment of the Great Brak Estuary.

L'eutrophisation est une des principales menaces pesant sur les écosystèmes aquatiques. Cette thèse a pour objectifs de déterminer le rôle des paramètres abiotiques liés à l'eutrophisation, notamment la concentration en phosphore total, sur 1) la composition chimique des communautés végétales aquatiques, 2) leur décomposition et 3) les flux de C dans les zones humides. 1. Trois espèces aquatiques représentatives des trois stratégies adaptatives de Grime (i.e. compétitive, rudérale et stress tolérante) sont sélectionnées dans des zones humides distribuées le long d'un gradient de phosphore. Les espèces compétitives et rudérales ont une concentration en lignine significativement plus faible que l'espèce stress tolérante. Pour une même espèce, la teneur en eau augmente avec la concentration en phosphore de l'habitat et l'allocation en composés carbonés (amidon et/ou lignine) varie également significativement. 2. La composition des plantes aquatiques a un fort effet sur leur décomposition, les espèces rudérales et compétitives se décomposant plus vite, d'autant plus si elles se sont développées dans des sites riches en nutriments. 3. Dans les milieux eutrophes, les communautés végétales contribuent à l'augmentation des émissions de CH4 et diminuent les émissions de CO2 mesurées pendant la journée, probablement directement, au travers de leur qualité, de leur vitesse de décomposition, et des quantités de matières produites, et indirectement, au travers de leur position dans la lame d'eau. Le niveau d'eutrophisation des écosystèmes doit donc être pris plus explicitement en compte dans les modèles d'estimation des flux de carbone des milieux aquatiques d'eau douce / Eutrophication is a current threat for wetlands. This phD thesis aims at determining the role of the abiotic parameters of eutrophication, mainly the phosphorus content, 1) on aquatic plant quality, 2) on aquatic plant decomposition, and 3) on carbon fluxes. 1. Three aquatic plant species representative of the Grime strategies, i.e. competitive, ruderal and stress tolerant, were collected in wetlands dispatched along a phosphorus gradient. For the three species, water content of populations increased with the nutrient content of the habitat. Carbon allocation (starch and/or lignin) also varied according to habitat. 2. The three species were collected and decomposed in wetlands dispatched along a nutrient gradient. Aquatic plant quality significantly affected their decomposition, in particular the ruderal and competitive species were more rapidly decomposed when they grew in nutrient rich sites. 3. Daytime CO2 and CH4 fluxes were measured in 6 floristic zones. Daytime CO2 emissions were negatively correlated with net primary productivity and CH4 emissions were positively correlated. The abundance of floating vegetation also increased CH4 emissions probably because macroalgae and to a lower extent vascular plants with floating leaves favor anoxic conditions. Eutrophication may affect aquatic plant chemical composition and increase their decomposition rate. Moreover, in eutrophic wetlands, floating vegetation may affect carbon fluxes because of their quality, their decomposition rate and the quantities produced, and indirectly because of their location in water column. Therefore the eutrophication should be taken into account in the global C budgets of softwater ecosystems

The focus of this study was to design and evaluate a trapping system that would reduce populations of common carp within water bodies in conjunction with establishment of native aquatic macrophytes founder colonies. A pond study and field study were conducted. A pond study was performed at the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, located in Lewisville, Texas, followed by a field study within a constructed wetland located in southern Dallas, Texas. For the pond study, twelve funnel traps were constructed (four reps of each type: control, dual-walled and ring cage). Two anti-escape devices were tested with funnels including steel fingers and hinged flaps. Ring cage and dual-walled treatments were planted using native pondweeds, while controls were left unplanted (additional bait and a drift fence scenarios were also tested). Common carp were introduced into the study pond. Chi-square statistical analyses were utilized and showed ring cage treatments using fingers as well as the use of a drift fence to be most effective. Following completion of the pond study, the two most effective treatments (controls and ring cages) were tested within the Dallas, Texas wetland; no carp were caught during the field test.

This research investigated the impact of invertebrates to four species of native aquatic macrophytes: V. americana, P. nodosus, P. illinoensis, and N. mexicana. Two treatments were utilized on each plant species, an insecticide treatment to remove most invertebrates and a non-treated control. Ten herbivore taxa were collected during the duration of the study including; Synclita, Paraponyx, Donacia, Rhopalosiphum, and Hydrellia. Macrophyte biomass differences between treatments were not measured for V. americana or N. mexicana. The biomasses of P. nodosus and P. illinoensis in non-treated areas were reduced by 40% and 63% respectively. This indicated that herbivory, once thought to be insignificant to aquatic macrophytes, can cause substantial reductions in biomass.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar a composição e distribuição de macrófitas aquáticas no reservatório Guarapiranga, além de contribuir para o conhecimento taxonômico das espécies. Foram realizadas coletas mensais de Julho/2008 a Junho/2009, em 20 bancos de macrófitas distribuídos ao longo de todo reservatório. Em cada banco foram coletadas e registradas as espécies presentes e coletadas amostra superficial da água para análise em laboratório do fósforo total e clorofila \"a\". In situ, foram tomadas medidas de temperatura da água, pH, CE, OD e DS. Para verificar a distribuição e relação das macrófitas com variáveis ambientais foram realizadas análises de similaridade e correspondência canônica. A comunidade de macrófitas do reservatório é composta por 133 espécies, pertencentes a 89 gêneros, distribuídos em 45 famílias, sendo 127 de Angiospermas, 5 de Samambaias e 1 de Hepática, neste trabalho é apresentado uma chave de identificação e descrições para as espécies presentes na área de estudo. Através das análises estatísticas observamos dois principais agrupamentos: o primeiro constituído de 4 bancos de macrófitas localizados no Braço Embu-Guaçu, caracterizados pela presença de macrófitas enraizadas com folhas flutuantes e submersas e com melhor qualidade de água e o segundo constituído de outros bancos com predomínio de espécies emergentes e flutuantes e água com maior carga de poluentes. A área de cobertura da espécie Polygonum ferrugineum diminuiu com elevação do nível da represa, enquanto a área de cobertura de macrófitas flutuantes livres (Pistia stratiotes e Salvinia herzogii) aumentou. Foi possível concluir que a Represa Guarapiranga possui uma elevada riqueza de macrófitas aquáticas, cuja composição específica é diferente entre os braços e corpo central. / The aim of this study was to investigate the composition and distribution of aquatic macrophytes in the Guarapiranga reservoir and contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of the species. Field work were performed monthly from June/2008 to May/2009, in 20 stands of macrophytes distributed throughout the reservoir. In each stand, the present species were recorded and collected and water temperature, pH, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen and Secchi disk transparency were measured. Additionally, superficial water sample were collected for total phosphorus and chlorophyll \"a\" analysis in the laboratory. To investigate the distribution of macrophytes and its relationship with environmental variables, similarity and canonical correspondence analysis were performed. The aquatic macrophytes community of the reservoir was composed of 133 species belonging to 89 genera distributed in 45 families being 127 angiosperms, 5 ferns and 1 liverwort. This work presents an identification key and descriptions for the species present in study area. The statistical analysis showed a cluster of four macrophytes stands located in the branch Embu-Guaçu, characterized by the presence of rooted macrophytes with floating leaves and submerged and with a better quality of water.Another cluster was formed by the other groups of macrophyte stands that were dominate by floating and emergent species, where we observed higher load of pollutants in the water. The coverage area of the species Polygonum ferrugineum decreased with the increase in the water level of the reservoir, while the coverage of the free-floating species (Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia herzogii) increased. In conclusion, Guarapiranga has a great aquatic macrophytes species richness, with different specific composition in the branches and in the central body.

Rund 3.000 Arten zur Beschreibung des ökologischen Zustandes von Gewässern nach den Vorgaben der Europäischen Wasserrahmenrichtlinie wurden bisher in Sachsen erfasst. Die größte Gruppe stellen Wasserpflanzen einschließlich Algen dar. Die reich bebilderte Broschüre stellt eine Auswahl in Sachsen vorkommender Wasserpflanzen und am Gewässerboden lebender Algen vor und gibt Einblick in eine faszinierende Unterwasserwelt. Sie ermöglicht wasserwirtschaftlichen Praktikern und interessierten Naturschützern einen Einstieg in die Interpretation des ökologischen Gewässerzustands.

Thesis (S.M.)--Joint Program in Marine Geology and Geophysics (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2012. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-79). / This study describes the spatial distribution of sediment deposition in the wake of a circular patch of model vegetation and the effect of the patch on turbulence and mean flow. Two difference types pf vegetation were used along with two different stem densities totaling four different case studies. The spatial location of enhanced deposition correlated with the steady wake zone, which has length, L1. The steady wake zone only occurred downstream of the rigid emergent patches of vegetation and was not seen downstream of the flexible submerged patches of vegetation. The enhanced deposition occurred when both turbulence and mean velocity was below the upstream, initial values. The enhanced deposition occurred when the mean velocity was less than or equal to half of the initial velocity. For the four cases studied, theses parameters of low velocity and low turbulence were primarily met within the steady wake region immediately downstram of the two rigid emergent patches of vegetation. In all four cases, large coherent structures are created in the flow due to the patch. Lateral vortices are formed downstream of the patch in a von-Karman vortex street that meets at the center of the flow a distance, Lw, downstream of the patch. For the flexible submerged cases, streamlines reattach to the bed of the flume a distance, Lv, downstream of the patch. In addition, for the flexible submerged cases, a secondary circulation is generated with flow moving laterally away from the patch at the surface and toward the centerline of the patch at the bed. / by Alejandra C. Ortiz. / S.M.

No description available.

A study was made of the ecology and floristics of a small bog lake referred to as Moss Lake, in the Grandaddy lakes region of the Uinta Mountains , Utah . Three consecutive summers, 1948, 1949, and 1950, were spent in collecting the data presented in this study. Throughout the study the following ecological measurements were made: 1. Water 2. Soil 3. Macroscopic vegetation 4. Plankton 5. Macroscopic animal forms.